Screw-tight plug for a sink

ABSTRACT

A screw-tight plug for a sink has a plug body having a tube body with a drain hole and one end edge extending outwards to form an inclined flange. The drain hole of the plug body has an internal connector, and the connector has a threaded hole at a center portion and a plurality of drain gullies disposed around the opening of the threaded hole. A stop cock has a rounded disk-shaped cock head and a screw having a threaded portion, and the screw couples with the threaded hole of the connector. Based upon an engagement depth between the screw and the threaded hole, the cock head of the stop cock pushes against the flange to form a containment space, or the cock head separates from the flange to drain water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the structure of a plug, and more particularly to a screw-tight plug for a sink which, based upon an engagement depth between the screw and the threaded hole, the cock head of the stop cock pushes against the flange to form a containment space, or the cock head separates from the flange to drain water

2. Description of the Related Art

For a current prior art plug structure, please refer to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. The prior art plug comprises a plug body 40, a jacket set 50 and a pop-up member 60. The plug body 40 has a flanged drain opening 41, an inner threaded portion 42 in the plug body 40 and an overflow drain 43 placed at the lower end of the inner threaded portion 42. The plug body 40 utilizes the drain opening 41 for insertion into the opening of the sink 70, and the plug body 40 is secured onto the sink 70 by securing members 44. A groove 51 is formed at the center of the jacket set 50, and the groove 51 has a spring 52. Drain gullies 53 are placed at the outer edge of the groove 51, and an outer thread 54 is placed at the outer surface of the jacket set 50, such that the jacket set 50 is locked onto the inner threaded portion 42 of the plug body 40 by the outer thread 54. A pop-up member 60 comprises a top cover 62 installed on the upper end of a control rod 61, and the control rod 61 is inserted in the groove 51 of the jacket set 50. The pop-up member 60 utilizes a spring 52, and with the relative sliding movement between the jacket set 50 and the control rod 61, the plug can open or close the drain hole of the sink by one pressing movement.

However, the above-mentioned structure has the following drawbacks:

1. The pop-up member 60 is controlled with a one-press movement; either trying to open or close the plug requires pressing the pop-up member 60, and both actions require working against the spring 52 in the groove 51. Therefore, a certain amount of strength is required to operate the plug, and the force of resistance is at a maximum at the very end of the pressing movement, which can present significant difficulties for the elderly or children.

2. In operation, refuse follows waste water entering into the plug body 40 and tends to attach onto the jacket set 50, and the pressing movement of the pop-up member 60 often pushes this refuse into the control rod and the groove 51, which may subsequently be very difficult to clean.

3. With regards to the pressing movement of the prior art plug, after long periods of time the gap between the drain opening 41 and the top cover 62 will not widen due to structural strength fatigue or elastic fatigue.

4. The pressing movement of the pop-up member results in a rapid closure between the drain opening 41 and the top cover 62, and children may be accidentally injured.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a screw-tight plug for a sink to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a screw-tight plug for a sink.

A screw-tight plug for a sink comprises: a plug body and a stop cock. The plug body is a tube body with a drain hole, and one end edge extends outwards to form an inclined flange. The drain hole of the plug body has an internal connector, and the connector has a threaded hole at a center portion. A plurality of drain gullies are disposed around the opening of the threaded hole. The plug body has an overflow drain on the tube wall of the drain hole. An outer periphery of another end of the plug body other than the flange includes an outer thread for securing a bolt, and the bolt is accompanied with a gasket. The stop cock has a rounded disk-shaped cock head and a screw having a threaded portion. A roughened surface is formed on the upper surface of the cock head, and the roughened surface has a plurality of radial teeth, a radial-extending wave or is embossed. The threaded portion of the screw is double threaded such that one rotation of the screw advances a distance of two thread pitches. The screw is secured with the threaded hole of the connector. Based upon an engagement depth between the screw and the threaded hole, the cock head of the stop cock pushes against the flange to form a containment space, or the cock head separates from the flange to drain water.

The plug body has an inner threaded portion in the drain hole, and the connector has a corresponding securing thread on its outer surface. The inner threaded portion of the plug body is locked with the securing thread of the connector. Therefore, the stop cock utilizes the threaded portion for locking onto the threaded hole of the connector, and achieves the same screw-tight plug structure for the sink.

A slot is formed between the cock head and the screw of the stop cock, and an elastic ring is jacketed onto the slot. A washer is placed at an outer periphery of the elastic ring. When the stop cock is pushed towards the plug body, the washer of the elastic ring is placed between the flange and the cock head to increase the anti-leakage effect of the flange and the cock head. The stop cock has two positioning edges at the end of the screw; a securing hole is disposed at the center of the stop cock from the positioning edge along the screw axial direction; the two positioning edges are jacketed with a U-shaped stopper secured with a bolt in the securing hole. When the stop cock is rotated counter-clockwise to the end, the U-shaped stopper pushes against the outer edge of the threaded hole of the connector to prevent the stop cock from being too loose or detaching. An ornament may be embossed or screwed onto the upper surface of the cock head, and the ornament may display text or a figure, such as instructions or a manufacturer's logo.

With the above-mentioned structure, the following benefits can be obtained: 1. Since the stop cock controls the opening and closing of the plug by the direction of its rotation, with the engagement allowance between the threaded portion of the screw and the threaded hole of the connector, it is very easy to rotate the stop cock, which provides a more user-friendly design.

2. Since the stop cock only uses the threaded portion of the screw for locking with the threaded hole of the connector of the plug body, if the connector becomes clogged with refuse, the rotational movement of the stop cock can push away the refuse to ensure a tight seal when closed.

3. The stop cock and the plug body are opened and closed by a rotating movement; therefore, even after long periods of time, the gap between the cock head and the flange will not widen due to structural strength fatigue or elastic fatigue.

4. The rotational movement of the stop cock can prevent children from getting accidentally injured.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective detailed view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a movement schematic drawing of rotating to open a plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a movement schematic drawing of rotating to close the plug according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective detailed view of another embodiment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of a stop cock having an elastic ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a stop cock having an elastic ring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a stop cock having a U-shaped stopper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective detailed view of a stop cock with an ornament according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing of a prior art plug being opened.

FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of a prior art plug being closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. An embodiment screw-tight plug for a sink comprises: a plug body 10 and a stop cock 20. The plug body 10 is a tube body with a drain hole 11 and one end edge extends outwards to form an inclined flange 12. The drain hole 11 of the plug body 10 has an internal connector 13, and the connector 13 has a threaded hole 131 at a center portion and a plurality of drain gullies 132 are disposed around the opening of the threaded hole 131. The plug body 10 has an overflow drain 14 on the tube wall of the drain hole 11. An outer periphery of another end of the plug body 10 other than the flange 12 includes an outer thread 15 for the securing of a bolt 16 (as shown in FIG. 4), and the bolt 16 is accompanied with a gasket 14. The stop cock 20 has a rounded disk-shaped cock head 21 and a screw 22 having a threaded portion 221. A roughened surface 23 is formed on the upper surface of the cock head 21, and the roughened surface 23 has a plurality of radial teeth, a radial-extending wave pattern or is embossed. The threaded portion 221 of the screw 22 is double threaded such that one rotation of the screw 22 advances a distance of two thread pitches. The screw 22 is secured with the threaded hole 131 of the connector 13. Based upon an engagement depth between the screw 22 and the threaded hole 131, the cock head 21 of the stop cock 20 pushes against the flange 12 to form a containment space, or the cock head 21 separates from the flange 12 to drain water.

For actual operation, please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 with reference to FIG. 2. In the embodiment, the plug body 10 is inserted in the drain hole of a sink 30, and the bolt 16 is screwed to the outer thread 15 of the plug body 10 so that the bolt 16 pushes upward against bottom of the sink 30 to secure the plug body 10 onto the sink 30. Furthermore, the gasket 17 is used for preventing the sink 30 from leaking. The stop cock 20 is locked onto the threaded hole 131 of the connector 13 by the threaded portion 221 of the screw 22. When a user wants to drain water from the sink 30, he or she uses the roughened surface 23 of the cock head 21 to rotate the stop cock 20 so that the stop cock 20 starts to rotate counter-clockwise along the threaded hole 131 of the connector 13 by way of the threaded portion 221. The stop cock 20 is moved towards the outer end of the plug body 10 by this rotation, and the cock head 21 separates from the flange 12 such that waste water is able to flow into the drain hole 11 and pass through the drain gullies 132 of the connector 13. Alternatively, if the user wishes to fill the sink 30 with water, he or she uses the roughened surface 23 of the cock head 21 to rotate the stop cock 20 so that the stop cock 20 rotates clockwise along the threaded hole 131 of the connector 13 by way of the threaded portion 221. The stop cock 20 is thereby moved towards and further into the plug body 10 by this rotation, and the cock head 21 pushes against the flange 12 such that water is stopped from flowing into the drain hole 11 and thus remains in the sink 30. Accordingly, the stop cock 20 controls the opening and closing of the plug by way of the direction of its rotation.

For another embodiment, please refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The plug body 10 has an inner threaded portion 18 in the drain hole 11; the connector 13 has a corresponding securing thread 133 on its outer surface, and the inner threaded portion 18 of the plug body 10 locks with the securing thread 133 of the connector 13. Therefore, the stop cock 20 utilizes the threaded portion 221 for locking to the threaded hole 131 of the connector 13, and achieves the same screw-tight plug structure for the sink.

Please refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. A slot 24 is formed between the cock head 21 and the screw 22 of the stop cock 20, and an elastic ring 25 is jacketed onto the slot 24. A washer 251 is placed at an outer periphery of the elastic ring 25. When the stop cock 20 is pushed towards the plug body 10, the washer 251 of the elastic ring 25 is placed between the flange 12 and the cock head 21 to increase the anti-leakage effect of the flange 12 and the cock head 21. Please refer to FIG. 10. The stop cock 20 has two positioning edges 222 at the end of the screw 22; a securing hole 223 is disposed at the center of the stop cock 20 from the positioning edge 22 along the screw axial direction; the two positioning edges 222 are jacketed with a U-shaped stopper 26 secured with a bolt 27 in the securing hole 223. When the stop cock 20 is rotated counter-clockwise to the end, the U-shaped stopper 26 pushes against the outer edge of the threaded hole 131 of the connector 13 to prevent the stop cock 20 from being too loose or detaching. Finally, please refer to FIG. 11. An ornament 28 is embossed or screwed onto the upper surface of the cock head 21, and the ornament 28 may display text or a figure, such as instructions or the manufacturer's logo.

With the above-mentioned structure, the following benefits can be obtained: 1. Since the stop cock 20 controls the opening and closing of the plug by the direction of its rotation, with the fit allowance between the threaded portion 221 of the screw 22 and the threaded hole 131 of the connector 13, it is very easy to rotate the stop cock 20, which provides a more user-friendly design.

2. Since the stop cock 20 only uses the threaded portion 221 of the screw 22 for locking with the threaded hole 131 of the connector 13 of the plug body 10; if the connector 13 is clogged with debris, the rotational movement of the stop cock 20 can push the debris away to ensure a tight seal when closed.

3. The stop cock 20 and the plug body 10 are opened and closed by the rotational movement; therefore, even after long periods of time, the gap between the cock head 21 and the flange 12 will not widen due to structural strength fatigue or elastic fatigue.

4. The rotational movement of the stop cock 20 can prevent children from getting accidentally injured.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A screw-tight plug for a sink comprising: a plug body having a tube body with a drain hole and one end edge extending outwards to form an inclined flange; the drain hole of the plug body having an internal connector, the connector having a threaded hole at a center portion and a plurality of drain gullies disposed around the opening of the threaded hole; and a stop cock having a rounded disk-shaped cock head and a screw having a threaded portion, the screw secured with the threaded hole of the connector; wherein based upon an engagement depth between the screw and the threaded hole, the cock head of the stop cock pushes against the flange to form a containment space, or the cock head separates from the flange to drain water.
 2. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug body and the connector are combined to provide a complete structure.
 3. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug body has an the inner threaded portion in the drain hole, the connector has a corresponding securing thread on its outer surface, and the inner threaded portion of the plug body is locked with the securing thread of the connector.
 4. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 4, wherein a slot is formed between the cock head and the screw of the stop cock, and an elastic ring is jacketed onto the slot.
 5. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein a washer is placed at an outer periphery of the elastic ring.
 6. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threaded portion of the screw is double threaded such that one rotation of the screw advances a distance of two thread pitches.
 7. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop cock has two positioning edges at the end of the screw; a securing hole is disposed at the center of the stop cock from the positioning edge along the screw axial direction; the two positioning edges are jacketed with a U-shaped stopper secured with a bolt in the securing hole.
 8. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein an ornament is embossed onto the upper surface of the cock head, and the ornament displays text or a figure.
 9. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein an ornament is screwed onto the upper surface of the cock head, and the ornament displays text or a figure.
 10. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug body has at least one overflow drain on the tube wall of the drain hole.
 11. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer periphery of another end of the plug body other than the flange includes an outer thread for securing a bolt, and the bolt is accompanied with a gasket.
 12. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein a roughened surface is formed on the upper surface of the cock head.
 13. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 12, wherein the roughened surface has a plurality of radial teeth.
 14. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 12, wherein the roughened surface has a radial-extending wave.
 15. The screw-tight plug for a sink as claimed in claim 12, wherein the roughened surface is embossed. 